Chihuahuas: Are They Right For You?

Loyal, feisty Chihuahuas, are you wondering if this tiny breed might be right for you?

The Chi is one of the most popular dog
breeds in America.

Some think the popularity of the breed can be attributed to the hit movie, “Beverly Hills
Chihuahua.” Others remember the Taco Bell Commercial with the talking dog, Gidget and her famous line,

"Yo Quiero Taco Bell"

Whatever the reason, the general public has stereotyped the breed in both positive and
negative ways.

Sadly, their
reputation stem from the fact there seems to be a dichotomy of personality
traits.

Tiny Chihuahua Puppy

Everyone knows of a loveable
Chihuahua and one that is mean and feisty, one that is confident and one that
is suspicious. For this breed, a lot
depends on genetics and on training and socialization.

For those that love the breed, they
would say that cute hardly describes this little one—but cute, fun-loving, loyal
and intelligent have made the breed one of the favorites among small dog
lovers.

The breed is known for its agility, fearlessness
and cheerful demeanor.

The perfect purse pet, it is often
referred to as Teacup, Pocket Size, Tiny Toy, or Miniature.

Buyers should be aware that these are not official
terms and are labels placed on the puppy to tempt potential buyers into thinking
that these puppies are better and therefore more costly.

With proper training and socialization,
they make an ideal pet for individuals, couples, or families with
older children.

Much of the problem with this breed is the owners who choose to
treat their dog as a tiny toy and not a dog.

The Chi’s size makes them fit
comfortably into small apartment living quarters, but their size should not
distract owners from proper training and socialization.

The
Chi comes in two coat varieties: the
long coat and the smooth or short coat.

Quick Facts

Other Names Used: Chi

Affiliation: AKC, CKC, KC: Toy; UKC: Companion

Size

Height: 6-10
inches (15-25 cm)

Weight: 2-4 pounds but no more than 6 pounds. (1.8 - 2.7kg)

Coat Type: Two types:
1. Smooth or short haired 2. long without an under coat

Colors: fawn, red, gold, silver, cream, chocolate,
white, and black, spotted, sable, or a variety of other colors and patterns or
markings.

Country of Origin: Mexico

Activity Level: Active, but do not require a lot of
exercise

Life Expectancy: 14-16 Years

Good with Children: Only older Children

Good with other pets: Good with other members of the same breed

Ideal Owners

Singles

Families with older children

Couples

Seniors

Qualities

Loyal & Lively

Almost Terrier like

Lovable but Bold

Good Watch Dog

History

Smooth Coated

Much of the breed's history is guesswork because we do not have any written records of antiquity.

It is thought that the breed dates back to the Techichi, a small dog that lived during Mayan times.

Mayans conquerors, the Toltecs are believed to have domesticated this dog to be used as a pet and also used in religious ceremonies.

The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs and turned these dogs in to sacred icons of the upper class, giving them religious meaning.

Today Chihuahuas are smaller in size than were the Techichis.

To gain their smaller size, it is thought that they were crossed with a hairless oriental dog.

We know that dogs resembling the modern day versions of the breed are found in things
found in the Pyramids of Cholula, predating 1530 and in the ruins of Chichen
Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula.

There does not appear to be any dispute that the
Chi originated in what is now present day Mexico, but it is likely that
that the travels of Christopher Columbus may have brought the dog to
Europe.

There were changes that occurred
over the years resulting in the tiny modern Chihuahua that we know
today.

The AKC first registered the breed in 1904 after being
discovered in the Chihuahua
state, a Mexican region, bordering Texas and New Mexico around 1850.

This is also
how the breed got its name. Today, the Chihuahua ranks 24th in dog popularity with the American Kennel Club

Personality

This breed is best known as the world’s smallest dog, but someone forgot to tell them that they were tiny.

They simply don’t seem to comprehend size and will be quick to defend their human family and home from the biggest of threats.

They might come in a petite package, but they are anything but tiny in personality.

They are best known as and have been bred as a companion dog, with a bold nature. They possess a rather duel nature -- high energy level, and very playful temperament, but also a quiet, cuddle bug whose swift to snuggle under the covers.

These are indoor dogs and do not do well being left alone for long periods of time and can suffer from separation anxiety.

They do poorly in cold weather and most hate rainy days.

Sunshine and warm weather also bring problems including their susceptibility to sunburn, especially on the nose, ear tips and belly.

Are they mean? In my opinion any dog can become mean if treated wrongly.

With the Chi being the smallest dog breed, there is a tendency to treat them as if they were not a dog at all.

When a small dog is not allowed to be a dog, they often develop symptoms associated with Small Dog Syndrome.

Often described as “clannish” they seem to have an uncanny
affinity for other Chihuahuas. So if you’re
planning on having more than one dog, two Chi might be the perfect
answer.

Grooming

Chihuahua Puppies Need to be Taught How to be Groomed

Grooming a short coated or smooth coated Chi is easy. A good brushing once or twice a week, a bath every few weeks and the usual toe nail clipping and dental care should be all that is necessary to keep your dog looking good.

Even though grooming is not as time consuming with short haired breeds, a good once over with a flea comb, especially during warmer months will assure that your dog is free of external parasites.

During your regular brushing sessions it is also good to look for bumps, bruises, cuts or scrapes.

Long coated Chi require a little more grooming. Use a brush to go over his ear fringe, his legs or leg furnishings and his tail or plume.

Brush the rest of his body, and then go over it with a comb to assure that you removed all the mats.

Mats can be removed by breaking them up with your fingers or the end of the metal comb.

Long haired Chihuahua may need professional grooming if mats become a problem.

Health Concerns of the Chihuahua

Like all toy breeds, the Chihuahua is prone to certain
conditions due to his size and other health problems can occur because they
have a genetic predisposition to them.

Although
relatively health, often enjoying a long life span, Chihuahua are
sometimes finicky eaters and others eat too much.

Most do not tolerate
the cold well and can be seen shaking if chilled even slightly.

They can also have dental problems do to the small size of the mouth.

Some genetic problems have have been identified in this breed include...

Hydrocephalus:
Common in some small breed dogs, hydrocephalus is usually noticeable
within the first couple months of life and include large head, lethargy,
and failure to grow.

The prognosis is poor for puppies.

Molears are a normal part of development in the Chihuahua breed but worth mentioning especially if you are considering breeding your dog. Also called soft spots in the skull, Chihuahuas are the only dog breed that is born with an incomplete skull.

This normal adaptation occurs to allow the puppy to pass through the birth canal. The molera fills in with age, but it vital that extra care be given puppies to prevent injury. This is not to be confused with hydrocephalus.

Hypoglycemia: Any tiny dog breed can be prone to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, but puppies are at greater danger.

If untreated, it can lead to coma and death, but it is easily treated by frequent feedings or supplements such as Nutri-cal or Karo syrup.

Signs of hypoglycemia include lethargy, incoordination, spasms of the neck, fainting or seizures. A quick and effective treatment is to rub the inside of the mouth and gums with Karo syrup to quickly raise the blood glucose level.

Collapsing trachea: A condition in which the rings of the trachea flatten or collapse making it difficult to get oxygen in and carbon dioxide out.

If you enjoyed this page, please check out these other breed pages...

Got Dog Products to Sell?

You definitely need to check out Trafeze to get your products out there and seen by the masses.

Advertising on this SiteSmall Dog Place is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com This site receives a small commission from all affiliate links and third-party advertising.

Grab Our Free Ezine...

Enter Your E-mail Address

Enter Your First Name (optional)

Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Small Dog E-Zine.